Date:25/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/25/stories/2006012520530200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Two-day meet on autism begins today

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Treatment and therapy required to tackle autism disorders will be discussed at a two-day conference here on January 25 and 26 under the auspices of the Chennai-based Institute for Remedial Intervention Services (IRIS). The Enhanced Auditory Rehabilitation Services, Lowell, Massachusetts (US) is the co-organiser of the event.

Mythily Chari, IRIS founder-director, and Praveen Kumar, a private practioner, who will deliver a talk on Wednesday, told a press conference here on Tuesday that the conference was being held in view of the rising incidence of autism, a neurological disorder.

The conference would focus attention on various aspects of biomedical interventions, alternative therapies and best education initiatives. The rising incidence of autism could be brought down if mercury was removed from oral polio and Hepatitis B vaccines administered to children, the doctor said While the administration of oral vaccines was stopped in the US since January 2000, it was being continued in the country, mostly at the instance of two or three multinational companies.

The IRIS founder-director could be contacted at 23313587, 9949466292 for further information.